Italian Opera Houses and Festivals [Paperback]

Karyl Charna Lynn (Author), Martin Stiglio (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 2005

Italian Opera in the 18th and 19th centuries was an experience unequaled anywhere else in the world. The unique emotion, flavor, and passion that existed have yet to be attained in any other country. Opera houses in Italy are the birthplace of this great art form. They represent its beauty and richness. More than just concrete, stone, glass, and wood, they are alive, each with a character and history of its own.

This work recreates the social, political, architectural, and performance histories of each house by including eyewitness accounts from Italian newspapers, journals, and books of the time. It covers more than 50 Italian opera houses and festivals, organized by their city of origin and geographic region. Each chapter is a journey back in time, beginning with the first theaters and performances in the city and concluding with an architectural description of the principal theater and a practical information guide for visitors (including hotel recommendations). The operatic activities of the main theater, including inaugurations, important performances, and world premieres, are also covered. A photospread, along with brief descriptions of opera-related sites, including the birthplaces, dwellings, and museums of Italy's greatest composers, give an even more complete portrait of the art.

Editorial Reviews

Review

For the general reader, this guide presents histories of 58 Italian opera houses and festivals, organized by region and then city. Lynn describes significant events, premieres, the construction of theaters, architecture, and season information. Also included is a guide to visiting, along with recommended hotels and opera-related places such as birthplaces and museums. Houses in northern, central, southern Italy, and the islands are covered. The indexes are divided between people and theaters. Lynn is a writer and critic specializing in opera. (Reference & Research Book News )

...as well as being the traveling companion the author envisaged, it also deserves a place in a home library as a valuable reference book to dip into and consult at leisure. (Opera Now )

This is a chatty, informative, compelling book which reflects the author's enthusiasm for opera houses. It is an essential item to pack when heading off to Italy or to keep on your bedside table at home if all you want to do is dream of where you might go to watch opera. (Classical Music )

...comprehensive in its coverage of architectural and decorative detail, not only of the theatres in their present state, but in their previous (often destroyed by fire) incarnations...useful for its background detail for anyone planning to visit one of Italy's opera houses. (Opera~Opera )

I think that this idea, to make known the history and culture of our Italian opera houses, is very great and interesting, especially for people who have not had the opportunity to visit them and consequently did not see historic performances in their turn. (Mirella Freni )

About the Author

Karyl Charna Lynn has written six books on opera houses, companies, and architecture, including The National Trust Guide to Great Opera Houses in America and Opera Companies and Houses of Western Europe, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. She is also a feature writer for Opera Now and Opera-Opera. She has lectured widely on Italian opera houses, their architecture, politics, and performances, including at the Italian Cultural Institute.

Product Details

• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Scarecrow Press (November 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0810853590
• ISBN-13: 978-0810853591
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,070,710 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

One of the opera world's most respected and experienced authors and critics, with vast experience and knowledge of the art form, Karyl Charna Lynn writes about every aspect of the opera field. Please visit Karyl Charna Lynn's web site for more detailed information: www.theoperacritic.net
Since 1989 she has worked as a full-time opera journalist and author, a rarity in the USA. She has authored six books on the subject, and published hundreds of features, reviews, profiles, commentaries, interviews, and news pieces. She is one of the main feature writers and critics for the influential, London-based magazine Opera Now. Karyl averages around 60 operas in 25 cities and a dozen countries each year. She also lectures about the European and American opera scene, including a series of lectures at the Italian Embassy in Washington DC.